The assessment of kinesis-therapeutic treatment using numerical evaluation of pelvic floor muscle forces

Introduction: Numerous factors lead to the dysfunction of pelvic floor muscle in women, resulting in various disturbances, of which urinary incontinence is the most significant. In addition to surgery, treatment of stress urinary incontinence may include, for instance, exercises for strengthening the pelvic floor muscle. Aim: The aim of the current study was to use a vaginal dynamometer, a device for measuring pelvic floor muscle force, to compare the pelvic floor muscle force before and after a kinesis therapy program for women who suffer from stress urinary incontinence. Method: This pilot study included 50 women, aged 30-58, who suffered from urinary stress incontinence. Patients were selected using the method of controlled sample, which excluded pregnant women, patients with inflammatory processes, and malignant and respiratory illnesses. Pelvic floor muscles were strengthened by performing Kegel exercises and the Proprioceptive Neural Fascilitation Spiral-dynamic technique. Pelvic floor muscle strength was measured using a vaginal dynamometer before and after the exercise. Exercise efficiency was determined based on orally reported data about incontinence (loss of urine and quality of life) and the numerical values obtained with the vaginal dynamometer. Results: The difference between pelvic floor muscle force measured by a vaginal dynamometer before and after the exercise was statistically significant (p=0.000). Conclusion: The results confirm that the vaginal dynamometer provides reliable measurements. They also suggest the superiority of the newly designed device over the previously applied conventional methods of measuring pelvic floor muscle strength.